Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Is CT Atty Gen a lying coward lawyer?

For years, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has attended events for veterans and often talked about his service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

But a story in The New York Times is now raising questions about Blumenthal's military record and his service during the Vietnam War.

• New York Times: Candidate's Words on Vietnam Service Differ From History• Richard Blumenthal: Reaction Pouring In From Around The Country

In a detailed story, reporter Raymond Hernandez mentions that Blumenthal spoke to a group in Norwalk in March 2008 at a ceremony that praised both veterans and senior citizens.

"We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam," Blumenthal was quoted as saying. "And you exemplify it. Whatever we think about the war, whatever we call it — Afghanistan or Iraq — we owe our military men and women unconditional support."

The Times story continued by saying that Blumenthal, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, never served in Vietnam. He obtained at least five military deferments from 1965 to 1970 and took repeated steps that enabled him to avoid going to war, according to records.

The Blumenthal campaign quickly denounced the piece and plans to hold a news conference today, where Blumenthal is expected to stand alongside veterans.

"The New York Times story is an outrageous distortion of Dick Blumenthal's record of service," Mindy Myers, Blumenthal's campaign manager, said in an e-mail. "Unlike many of his peers, Dick Blumenthal voluntarily joined the Marine Corps Reserves in 1970 and served for six months in Parris Island, SC and six years in the reserves. He received no special treatment from anyone."

• Timeline: Richard Blumenthal• Bio Box: Richard Blumenthal

In an interview with The Times on Monday, the paper said, Blumenthal said he had misspoken about his service during the Norwalk event and might have misspoken on other occasions.

"My intention has always been to be completely clear and accurate and straightforward, out of respect to the veterans who served in Vietnam," he told The Times.

Blumenthal entered the U.S. Senate race when the politically wounded incumbent, Christopher Dodd, dropped out in January. The attorney general's stratospheric public approval ratings have vexed his Republican opponents, who faced a tough battle against the popular Democrat.

But the latest allegations suggest vulnerabilities that few suspected, and they are giving the GOP cause for hope.

Republican candidate Rob Simmons, who is a Vietnam veteran, said that Blumenthal owes the public an explanation.

"As someone who served, I respect Dick for wearing the uniform, but I am deeply troubled by allegations that he has misrepresented his service," Simmons said in a statement. "Too many have sacrificed too much to have their valor stolen in this way. I hope Mr. Blumenthal steps forward and forthrightly addresses the questions that have arisen about this matter."

Another Republican, Linda McMahon, has already been running ads targeting the Democratic front-runner. McMahon has said that she intends to spend up to $50 million of her personal fortune in her quest to win the race. As soon as The Times story appeared on the paper's website, the McMahon campaign posted a video of Blumethal's comments at the Norwalk event.

"It's become increasingly clear to us over the past weeks and months as we've researched Mr. Blumenthal in earnest that there are some deeply disturbing disconnects between the image he's sought to portray and reality," said Ed Patru, a spokesman for McMahon. "These are questions that will not and cannot be easily answered."

Merrick Alpert, a Democrat from Mystic who is challenging Blumenthal for the party's nomination, had harsh words for the party's presumptive nominee.

"As a citizen and as a candidate, it's shocking to see someone who has tried to craft this image of themselves as a fighter, as someone who is willing to always step up and tell the truth, to see him lie about serving in Vietnam," Alpert said during a brief phone conversation Monday night.